HARRISBURG – Rep. George Dunbar (R-Westmoreland) today announced he has been appointed to serve on the House Finance Committee’s Select Subcommittee on Tax Modernization and Reform by Finance Committee Chairman Bernie O’Neill (R-Bucks).

The select subcommittee was recently established through House Resolution 327 to investigate and review Pennsylvania’s tax laws, and explore other states’ best practices and methods for levying and collecting various taxes.

Dunbar will join eight other appointed members in developing recommendations to encourage equitable tax policy.

“As vice chairman of both the House Finance Committee and the House Appropriations Committee, I already have a prominent role in working to ensure Pennsylvania’s fiscal house is in order during all state budget hearings and negotiations,” said Dunbar, a certified public accountant, businessman and former Penn Township commissioner. “As a strong fiscal conservative who has actively sought to reduce the tax burden on Pennsylvania taxpayers and the employers who bring jobs here, serving on this select subcommittee gives me another opportunity to have a direct impact on the critical economic policies of tax modernization and reform.”

Since taking office in 2011, Dunbar has successfully advanced three major pieces of fiscal reform legislation into law. For example, Act 42 of 2014 shields Pennsylvania job creators from being double-taxed by various municipalities, cities and other local governments.

“I am pleased to appoint Vice Chairman Dunbar to this select subcommittee, which will play a crucial role in formulating sound fiscal policy for our taxpayers,” O’Neill said. “He and other members of the committee will be tasked with analyzing Pennsylvania’s complex tax laws and making recommendations to reduce the overall burden on our taxpayers without jeopardizing the stability of our state economy.”

The select subcommittee has been granted the authority to hold hearings, call witnesses, take testimony and initiate any necessary investigations. A report of its findings, as well as recommendations for appropriate legislation or other action, are expected to be made to the House Finance Committee by Nov. 30, 2018.